Van Helsing Series In Development At CBS
Rising from the shadows and to a TV near you, the legendary monster hunter Van Helsing has landed a series telling on CBS. The project is quite the get for the network as it was reported that there was a bidding war around the Lionsgate Television-backed title and it’s understandable why as the character is as prolific in lore as Dracula or Frankenstein’s Monster. But hold on for just one second because this won’t be the same Van Helsing you’ve seen in other iterations.
A Modern Twist On A Classic
Updated for the modern day, the Van Helsing series will follow the adventures of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing as he works alongside his ex, Mina Harker, who just so happens to be one of the top agents at the FBI. Together the pair will stomp around the bustling streets of New York City, using their combined brain power to crack the toughest cases out there. At this time, it isn’t completely clear what monsters will be lurking in the subways and alleys of the Big Apple, but given that it’s a modern take, we can expect that not all the perpetrators will be of the fantastical variety.
Jonathan Lee Getting To Work
Jonathan Lee is currently putting pen to paper for the Van Helsing series as its main writer. Lee has been a centerpiece of industry news as of late with his name also attached to Netflix and BBC’s upcoming drama, Lockerbie. For that, audiences can expect Colin Firth to star in a based-on-a-true-story retelling of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy.
The author and screenplay writer are also collaborating with Reservation Dogs’ co-creator, Sterlin Harjo, for a limited series on FX.
Fondly Remembering The Modern Hugh Jackman Classic
We don’t know about you but when we heard Van Helsing was getting a series makeover courtesy of CBS, it jogged memories of the 2004 action flick led by Hugh Jackman (Deadpool & Wolverine) and Kate Beckinsale (Pearl Harbor). Jackman appeared as the titular hunter in the movie which served as an ode to Universal monster flicks of the past and featured other familiar characters like Dracula, Igor, Frankenstein’s monster, and Mr. Hyde.
Van Helsing Procedural Can Be A Runaway Hit
Whether you consider it to be a classic or a flop, the movie performed incredibly well at the global box office, raking in an impressive $300.2 million against its $160-170 million production budget. With this in mind, plus the ongoing popularity of other procedurals like The Rookie and NCIS, there’s a solid chance that the Van Helsing series will prove to be financially fruitful for CBS.
More Details To Come
It’s also worth noting that a Van Helsing series has been tested in the past courtesy of Syfy’s five-season running show of the same name. For the most part, the title was a hit for the network, with audiences engaged in the fantastical story which, like CBS’ take, put a different – but this time post-apocalyptic – spin on the character.
As of right now, no casting announcements or even clues as to who will pick up the two leading roles in the Van Helsing series have been revealed. A release date is also up in the air but you can stay tuned for more information.
Source: Deadline
